Children's races

TOWER- There was a great turnout this year for the sawdust scramble and children’s races after the Fourth of July parade. Winners listed in order, first, second, third. All winners received cash prizes.
Please excuse any name misspellings, winners were all handwritten immediately after each race…
6-Yard Dash
Boys 2-3: Rudy Dehmer, Lucas Vraa, Callahan Larson
Girls 2-3: June Wycoff, Cora Boes, Hadley Smith
Backwards Race
Boys 2-3: Finn Suihkonen, Jackson Kepler, Nicholas Sheehan
Girls 2-3: Hadley Smith, Eva Scherer, Isla Swanson
Boys 4-5: Jack Siebert, Wyatt Dehmer, Penn Anderson
Girls 4-5: Emery Roseland, Emma Purkat, Sawyer Suihkonen
Boys 6: Hudson Kosiek, Braydan Kralich, Brooks Anderson
Girls 6: Deim Dreemwaldt, Shayla Howard, Colpie Stellmach
10-Yard Dash
Boys 4-5: Leif Lamppa, Wyatt Dehmar, Jack Siebert
Girls 4-5: Emma Purkat, Emery Roseland, Layla Vraa
20-Yard Dash
Boys 6-7: David Beutz, PJ Goodsky, Boone Wachlaronicz
Girls 6-7: Norah Zubke, Harper Olson, Sara Lossing
50-Yard Dash
Boys 8-9: Micah Van Egndom, Owen Rumpl, Holden Clarke
Girls 8-9: Allie Vesel, Emma Overbye, Tayah Stellmach
Boys 10-11: George Rofido, Hollis Collier, Behr Schroeder
Girls 10-11: Mariah Johnson, Brenless Hackenmueller, Jacy Meinzer
Boys 12-13: Isaac Licari, Aiden Luukkonen, Dalton Hutchinson
Girls 12-13: Addison Lobe, Ingrid Huber, Bella Raj
Boys 14-15: Kaston Clarke, Robbie Beutz, Nate Crow
Girls 14-15: Aubrie Takanen, Zoe Amborn, Etta Woodford
Sack Race
Boys 7-8: Knox Roseland, PJ Goodsky, Luke Hampson
Girls 7-8: Tayah Stellmach, Eveleyn Riihiluoma, Everest Peters
Boys 9-10: Kai Standish, Tyler Peterson, Will Peterson
Girls 9-10: Allie Vesel, Flora Erickson Christian, Emma Overbye
Boys 11-12: Louis Fink, Thomas Stellmach, Cameron Greenwaldt
Girls 11-12: Ellie Licari, Mariah Johnson, Addison Lobe
Boys 13-14: Nate Crow, Luke Toll, Dalton Hutchinson
Girls 13-14: Ingrid Huber, Gigi Rosati, Etta Woodford
Wheelbarrow
Boys 7-8: Luke Hampson & Ellis Oliver, Vincent Vesel & David Beutz, Finn Bennett & Lincoln Bennett
Girls 7-8: Evelyn Riihiluoma & Sara Lossing, Noelle Dietz & Stella Siebert, Ellie Semo & Seija Snyder
Boys 9-10: Bode Hutchinson & Cormac Oliver, Kai Standish & Ayden Davris, Cade Jorgenson & Jay Lobe
Girls 9-10: Emma Overbye & Ellie Licari, Hailey Omuim & Emmi Clow, Elizabeth Beutz & Liv Hampson
boys 11-12: Lachlan Robideau & Charlie Loftus, Harrison Rosch & George Rofidahl, Ryden Amborn & Ethan Ziegler
Girls 11-12: Addison Lobe & Olivia Jorgenson, Lauren Pettinelli & Ada Osmundson, Lauren Hampson & Autumn Ulmer
Boys 13-14: Ian Crow & Nate Crow, Luke Toll & Noah Toll, Dalton Hutchinson & Cameron Burgess
Girls 13-14: Amelia Osmundson & Anna Pettinelli, Lucy Rofidal & Ingrid Huber, Gigi Rosati & Charlottte Rosata
Adult 50-Yard Dash
Men 15-25: Noah Lamson, Owen Lamson
Women 15-25: Ava Fink, Allison Fink
Men 26+: Garrett Lamppa, Adam Kugel
Women 26+: Amanda Trunzon, Leah Erickson
He/She Sack Race
Ages15-25: Kensie Moeckel & Noah Toll, Ava Fink & Jace Westebur
Ages 26+: Regina Kugel & Adam Kugel, Greg Dietz & Alanna Dietz
Water Balloon Toss
Ages 15-25: Ava Fink & Jace Westerbur, Emily Majerle & Caston Clark
Ages 26+: Amanda Trunzo & Jeff Standish, Gavin Bialke & Cara Santelli

Vermilion Run

TOWER- The weather was cooperative, and the crowds showed up for this year’s 41st annual Vermilion Run. Over 60 runners preregistered for the event and then the usual crowds showed up to register on race day. Thanks to amazing volunteers, everyone was registered before the races started at 8 a.m. Total participation was 180 in the 5K and 58 in the 10K, plus another 20 children who completed the one-mile fun run.
Several families competed in this year’s race, and runners ranged in age from the single digits to over 70. One of the goals of the race is to encourage a love of running and outdoor activity, so kids 12 and under race for free, and the family rate allows all family members to race for the rate of two paid adults.
10K winners
Teenagers Max Molinaro, age 14, Charlie Bortnem, 16, and Soren Bortnem, 18 were the top three male finishers in the 10K event. Molinaro won the 5K race last year, while Soren took second and Charlie took fourth in the 10K last year.
Eve Anderson, 21, Lillian Beutz, 16, and Liz Haycraft, 52, were the top female finishers in the 10K. It was a repeat for both Anderson and Beutz, who finished first and second respectively in the 10K last year.
5K winners
Isaac Monroe, 21, Connor Matschiner, 19, and Dominic Cassetta, 15, were the top male finishers in the 5K event. Monroe finished fourth in 2023. Top female finishers were Kala Ziegler, 16, Anna Pettinelli, 13, and Christina Corniea, 21.
The top three male and female finishers in both races received a commemorative insulated water bottle. If a winner didn’t pick up their bottle, please stop by the Timberjay office to get one. Also, we didn’t get race stickers handed out to all our participants, so please stop by the Timberjay office to pick up some!
Race volunteers included Jodi Summit, Mary Shedd, Allie Heglin, Amy Heglin, Tracey Dagen-Strong (whose family started the race back in 1982), Michelle Toutloff, Marshall Helmberger, Victoria Ranua, Paul Schoening, Aaron Kania, Roxanne Tea, Marjorie Wood, Gabe Wood, Muriel Scott, Lynn Scott, Sam O’Brien, Barb Soderberg, Kurt Soderberg, Stephanie Ukkola, Ed and Dot Swanson, Eric Norberg, Cade Gornick, and Kalee Bjorgo. Race organizers thank the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center for use of these grounds as the registration spot, and the Breitung Police Department for help with traffic control. The race is sponsored by Friends of Vermilion Country School and the Tower-Soudan Lake Vermilion Events Board. Funds raised support student and teacher needs at the charter school, such as helping with prom and yearbook expenses, field trips, supplies for special projects, and other needs.

10K Results (top 50 finishers)
Max Molinaro, 14, Mendota Hts 34:37.4
Charlie Bortnem, 16, Tower 35:29.1
Soren Bortnem, 18, Tower 37:45.9
Lee Wiswell, 40, Aurora 39:26.8
Phillip Berk, 41, Duluth 39:45.5
Isaiah Anderson, 18, Mankato 42:12.3
Eve Anderson, 21, Mankato 42:13.1
BJ Dinter, 39, Eagan 44:34.2
Chris Johnson, 43, Plymouth 44:35.2
Chris Kolquist, 48, Leawood 45:05.0
Avery Lehman, 25, Coon Rapids 45:17.7
Nick Simonson, 45, Bismarck, ND 45:26.9
Lillian Beutz, 16, Eden Prairie 45:34.4
Chad Vertin, 55, Fargo, ND 46:19.4
Greg Gossel, 41, Ellsworth 46:21.8
Liz Haycraft, 52, Mahtomedi 46:24.0
Kris Anderson, 48, Mankato 46:41.7
Lisa Garretson, 35, Embarrass 47:03.6
Casey Nelson, 41, Plymouth 47:10.7
Pete Molinaro, 45, Mendota Hts 48:29.1
Alli Harasyn, 42, Maple Grove 49:18.4
Larry LaTarte, 50, Ely 49:37.7
Jessica Hellman, 49, Ely 51:10.1
Barb Johnson, 43, Plymouth 51:15.6
Nick Myre, 29, Cook 51:17.0
Pat McDonald, 37, St. Paul 52:16.0
Nichole Borell, 40, Columbus 52:31.4
Kaarin Nelson Schaffer, 46, Mpls 52:40.8
Isabelle Puhl, 21, Fargo, ND 53:09.2
Julia Puhl, 19, Fargo, ND 53:09.7
Kim Carlin, 59, Duluth 53:13.4
Clara Zak, 17, Bethel 54:25.6
Brian Norberg, 39, Iowa 54:49.2
Jack Wahl, 13, Brooklyn Park 54:58.3
Joshua Eggers, 41, Coon Rapids 56:09.6
Todd Johnson, 54, St. Paul 56:31.1
Kate Olsen, 21, Ham Lake 59:10.9
Timothy Clement, 26, Mt. Iron 59:13.5
Meghann Wahl, 44, Brooklyn Park 59:46.8
Sara Alexander, 47, Virginia 1:03:09.6
Jerry Myre, 70, Tower 1:04:16.7
Maria Krebsbach, 30, Iron 1:04:36.3
Deann Dahl, 59, Duluth 1:05:11.5
Lisa Ledman, 60, Tower 1:05:20.7
Elise Rice, 21, Walker 1:05:25.5
Mike Rice, 54, Walker 1:05:26.2
No name 1:05:27.2
Craig Stevens, 73, Virginia 1:10:29.9
Jimmy Haugen, 43, Wayzata 1:13:38.7
Shaun Myre, 39, Bemidji 1:13:39.5
Nick Myre, Cook 1:13:39.5

5K Results (top 80 finishers)
Isaac Monroe, 21, Plymouth 18:06.0
Connor Matschiner, 19, Gilbert 18:23.1
Dominic Casetta, 15, Grand Forks 18:59.1
Kyle Peterson, 17, Duluth 19:18.8
Will Peterson, 17, Virginia 19:22.0
Juch Puyette, Duluth 20:06.8
Josh Swanson, 34, Hibbing 20:11.5
Drew Hatch, 41, Tower 21:03.6
Travis Green, 50, Lincoln, Neb. 21:04.3
Lucas Anderson, 11, Duluth 21:17.6
Giovanni Casetta, 12, Grand Forks 21:35.2
Max Anderson, 9, Duluth 21:46.0
Cody Petrack, 11, Virginia 22:39.9
Kala Ziegler, 16, Tower 22:41.6
Matt Anderson, 44, Duluth 22:46.0
Leo Peterson, 13, Northfield 22:51.7
Sean Tierney, 13, Tower 23:02.6
Justin Pettinelli, 40, St. Paul 23:05.6
Anna Pettinelli, 13, St. Paul 23:06.2
Will Tierney, 13, Tower 23:10.1
Ben Peterson, 11, Britt 23:30.6
Jim Lodermeier, 60, Tower 23:44.5
Ryban Aish, 16, Bethel 23:57.5
Christina Corniea, 21, Maple Grove 24:47.7
Jenifer Waldron, 43, Austin, Tex 24:48.8
Brenda Lodermeier, 56, Tower 25:19.7
Wyatt Petrack, 15, Virginia 25:28.7
Catie Petrack, 46, Virginia 25:29.5
Evelyn Molinaro, 10, Mendota Hts 25:43.0
John Molinaro, 43, Mendota Hts 25:43.4
Thomas Stellmach, 11, Stillwater 25:57.3
Ronnie Molinaro, 13, Mendota Hts 26:09.3
Gunnar Bruckner, 16 26:11.5
Victoria Rund, 23, Ely 26:22.0
Joe Erickson, 16, Plymouth 26:31.0
Brynja Schaffer, 11, Golden Valley 26:37.8
Mitch Suzuki, 28, Los Ang., Calif 26:45.6
Kate Molinaro, 10, Mendota Hts 26:56.4
No name 27:04.0
Meg Norberg, 39, Iowa 27:17.1
Ava Hoepner, 16 27:18.8
Ella Erickson, 11, Lakeville 27:32.6
Luke Olsen, 20, Ham Lake 27:41.6
Brian Kluever, 61, Tower 28:02.9
Kelly Fleming, 44, 28:07.1
Camille Corniea, 22, Maple Grove 28:16.7
Canon Gibson, 14, Stillwater 28:19.0
Macy Mohr, 29, Brighton 28:29.7
Jim Erickson, 50, Plymouth 28:31.8
Meghan Corniea, 25, Mpls 28:40.2
Spencer Johnson, 26, Mpls 28:42.0
Jason Jeaser, 44, Dayton 28:46.6
Leah Erickson, 41, Dayton 28:46.9
PJ Fleming, 9 28:50.4
Maia Kolquist, 18, Leawood 28:59.6
Drew Fanberg, 44, Hugo 29:09.5
Devin Fanberg, 11, Hugo 29:10.2
Joss Peterson, Duluth 29:12.8
Patti Hallback, 65, Tower 29:25.4
Bryan Morcom, St. Paul 29:32.6
Willow Kenesei 29:33.1
Liisa Kolquist, 48, Leawood 29:41.1
Amber McCarter, 41, Embarrass 29:46.7
Ray Peterson, 51, Duluth 29:55.3
Nina Sporier, 52, Tower 30:20.6
Dan Peterson, Duluth 30:31.0
Justin Waldron, 42 30:55.1
Alyssa Dvorak, 21, Richfield 30:56.2
Cassie Schultz, 30, Shafer 30:56.7
Ellie Olsen, 15, Ham Lake 31:01.7
Katiana Zak, 20, Bethel 31:06.9
Alexander Betley, 31, Soudan 31:17.4
Supama Mallla, 27, Soudan 31:18.2
Sadie Molinaro, 12, Mendota Hts 31:30.5
Michael McTavish, 34, Brighton 31:32.2
Kay Stinson, 77, Stillwater 31:35.8
Andrew Friedrich, 11, Jordan 31:51.1
Keith Reeves, 64, Esko 32:02.1
Ruth Reeves, 65, Esko 32:02.6
Kristine Olsen, 54, Ham Lake 32:11.0
Ruth Doedigheimer, 63, Cloquet 32:33.6
Rachel Gossel, 41, Ellsworth 32:55.6
Mitchell Fleming, 43 32:59.2
Anna Erickson, 19, So. St. Paul 33:16.9
Branda Franklin, 60, Grantsburg 33:2.1
Jess Jensen, 42, Alexandria, Virg 33:41.2
John Lemons, 18, Maplewood 33:46.9